WILMINGTON, MA — Wilmington High School’s literary magazine — Expressions — published its spring edition earlier this week. Read it HERE.
Below is a poem, shared from the magazine with permission, from WHS Girls Track captain Elisabeth Olson. Olson explains what Frank Kelley, the late legendary Wilmington track coach and teacher, meant to her.
To Mr. Kelley:
by Elisabeth Olson, ’16
You were always there,
for support and advice,
watching over what you created —
watching it fall apart, watching it
flourish, season after season,
You were there, leaning on your crutches
(after retiring your famous stick)
pith helmet still on your head,
at the discus circle,
so you could coach throwers,
and still cheer on the runners
as they whisked by you
onto the final straightaway.
You cheered for everyone;
the fast, the slow, the old, the new.
I still remember your first words to me
when I turned my head
as I was about to be lapped
you shouted:
“never look back.”
Mr. Kelley, I wish I could have told you
since that race, I have never looked behind me.
Not just on the track, but in life.
So I thank you, we all thank you,
for everything you’ve done for us,
I hope we make you proud
every time we step out onto the track
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